What is the USDA guideline regarding added sugars intake?

• A. Added sugars have no limit.
• B. Limit added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories.
• C. Added sugars should be the majority of calories.
• D. Limit added sugars to more than 20% of daily calories.

Answer: (B)

Limit added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories. This means that if you’re consuming about 2,000 calories in a day, you’d aim for under 200 calories from added sugars, which is roughly 50 grams of sugar. Keeping added sugars under this threshold helps prevent excess energy intake while freeing room for nutrient-dense foods, supporting overall diet quality.

Added sugars refer to sugars added during processing, preparation, or at the table, not the sugars that occur naturally in whole foods like fruits or plain milk. Following this guideline can reduce risks associated with excess sugar, such as weight gain and higher chances of certain chronic diseases, and it aligns with recommendations to prioritize nutrient-rich choices.